J.T., a 30 year‐old Chicagoland woman, presented to the Emergency Department at a local Chicago hospital with severe back pain. She was admitted to that hospital under the care of H.A., M.D., a hospitalist employed by United Elite Hospitalists, LLC.
Pfaff, Gill & Ports, Ltd. reaches $3 million settlement for cauda equina syndrome case
Medical malpractice lawsuits in Chicago can lead to large payouts
When a judge finds a doctor or health care worker guilty of medical malpractice, it can result in large settlements. There have been some high-profile cases in the Chicago that demonstrate different aspects of medical malpractice, how these lawsuits can play out in court and the settlements that can result.
ABOTA asks Senate to Continue Allowing States to Govern Med-Mal Case
The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) recently called on the U.S. Senate to reject the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017 (H.R. 1215) and any similar legislation that seeks to thwart state-delegated powers to govern medical malpractice cases and to place a nationwide cap of $250,000 on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases.
Qualifying factors for medical malpractice
Medical malpractice claims have dropped in recent years. According to recent reports, the total number of malpractice cases as well as overall payments for these cases dropped significantly between 2003 and 2015.
Prescription errors can have serious consequences
Prescription medication can play a vital role in treating and managing a variety of serious conditions. However, their efficacy can have a negative impact in the case of incorrect use. Unfortunately, several types of prescription errors continue to result in suffering and even permanent health effects for patients throughout the United States.
A Very Nice Settlement and Why Its Terms are Confidential
We recently settled a difficult liability case against a hospital, a medical corporation that employed a neurologist, and other parties. Our client suffered a spinal cord injury. Her future needs will be provided for and she is well pleased with the settlement. Bruce Pfaff, Matt Ports, and the firm's staff worked very hard on the case for years.
Speak Up by the Joint Commission - Help Prevent Errors in Your Care
N.B. What follows is the text of a pamphlet authored for JCAHO. We have reproduced it with our comment that this is good advice, whether coming from a health organization or a law firm. Healthcare settings can be dangerous and mis-information can lead to tragic consequences. Please do your best to communicate clearly with your healthcare team and to make sure they communicate clearly with you. You should know what the treatment plan is and make sure that is what happens. Please remember you have the right to discharge your doctor and replace him or her with someone whom you feel is more suitable. Good luck-Pfaff, Gill & Ports, Ltd.
Bruce Pfaff Quoted in Article on Expert Witnesses in Chicago Lawyer Magazine
Attorney Bruce Pfaff was quoted in an article, "The Elephant in the Room," by Emily Donovan, which was published today by the Chicago Lawyer magazine. In the article, Pfaff shares his thoughts on the process of researching and retaining expert witnesses -- as well as the often challenging task of finding doctors willing to testify as experts for plaintiffs in medical malpractices cases.
Memo from Bruce R. Pfaff
After recent unhappy hospital experiences with a family member and reviewing a wonderful article by Sumathi Reddy in The Wall Street Journal January 10, 2017, I have some thoughts on obtaining good medical care and protecting family members who are being treated.
Pharmacy Errors Lead to Dangerous Drug Interactions
We are currently prosecuting a case against Osco for negligently failing to warn a patient and the prescribing doctor that the drug Reglan should not be taken for more than 12 weeks "except in rare cases." The doctor prescribed and the pharmacy dispensed Reglan to our client for more than 6 years. He acquired a disabling movement disorder, tardive dyskinesia, from taking Reglan. That side effect is exactly the reason why the FDA required Reglan's manufacturer to place a black box warning about not taking the drug for more than 12 weeks on the package insert beginning in 2009. The package insert went only to the pharmacy; the patient did not receive the package insert, nor did the doctor. We expect to try the case in 2017.
